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Ocean Friendly Gardens

 

The Ocean Friendly Garden Program is really catching on in Ventura.  Check out this recent Ventura Breeze article in which our own City Manager is recognized for being one of the early adopters of OFG.  And in parnership with the City of Ventura, the Surfrider Foundation’s Ventura County Chapter recently completed a series of educational classes which included, in March 2012, a Watershed Basics Class covering the principles of CPR or Conservation, Permeability and Retention; the basics tenets of the OFG model. 

In April, over 30 people attended a Hands-on-Workshop to learn how to conduct a site evaluation and design an OFG.  Moreover, more than 25 local professionals and agency personel attended a professional level course on OFG.  And in May, a Garden Assistance Party (GAP) was co-hosted by the City and Surfrider with over 30 people helping to transform a local front lawn from water-thirsty to beautiful, water-thrifty.  A big thank you to our host, Dan Long for his hospitality and hard work.  And a huge kudos to all the people who worked so hard to help out and build our OFG Community.  Check out this blog about the adventure.

All events in the series were funded through a grant from the California Coastal Commission Whale Tail License Plate Program.  The classes were taught by G3, the Green Gardens Group, a sustainable landscaping education and consulting firm based in Los Angeles, California. 

Check out this before and after shot of an OFG completed in 2010.

Check out this before and after shot of an OFG completed in 2012. 

Already have an OFG?  Call (805) 652-4501 to get a free Ocean Friendly Garden sign to display in your front yard.  

Upload your Ocean Friendly Garden to the OFG Garden Tracker Website.  Help us track and promote OFG!

For more information about how you can participate in the future, visit ww2.surfrider.org/ventura/VenturaOFG.html.  
Or contact Jill Sarick at (805) 652-4501 or jsarick@venturawater.net.

 

 

Water Wise Gardening In Ventura County

Inspired And Ready To Do More?

Transform your yard into a water-wise garden.  For great ideas, visit Water Wise Gardening in Ventura at www.ventura.watersavingplants.com.  Use the Hydro-zone report function to build a plant list divided by water-use to help maximize water efficiency.
 

Gardener's Resource Guide - Offers a wealth of information and resources like where to get mulch or who to call for help installing a water-wise garden.  

 

Rainbarrels Are Here

A rain barrel discount program for City of Ventura residents is now available through Environmental Sustainability and Ventura Water.

Working in cooperation with Smith Pipe and Supply at 3060 Sherwin Avenue in Ventura, the Channel/Bushman 60-gallon rain barrel with a retail value of $85 will be available for $42 plus tax at their store with a Rain Barrel Discount Voucher.

Along with the voucher, proof of Ventura residency such as a Ventura Water bill or other utility bill or document that shows a City of Ventura address (not a driver’s license) must be shown to receive the discount.  Two rain barrel discounts are available per residential address with the voucher.

Additional rain barrels may be purchased at the full retail price. The rain barrel is for non-potable water use only. Vouchers are available through Environmental Sustainability by calling 652-4584 or printed directly from the website. This program is subject to availability of supply and while funds last.

 

New Green Gardener training to start in June

Nopalito Nursery, in partnership with the Abundant Table Farm Project, Ventura Water, Casitas Municipal Water District and the City of Oxnard Water Department are sponsoring a new Green Gardener's training program to promote wise use of our resources through best managment practices in our landscapes.  The training program is designed for contractors, landscapers and gardeners and it will be taught in both English and Spanish.  The entire 10 week series is only $50.  To register or find out more call 805-390-2015. 

Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance

AB 1881 was passed in 2009 requiring all municipal water purveyors who serve more than 3,000 connections to enact legislation requiring the installation of water efficient landscaping and irrigation on all new and remodeled properties.  The Building and Safety and Ventura Water Departments worked to develop a responsed with dual goals of meeting the State water conservation objectives while supporting and enhancing our local economy. 

AB 1881 Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance – State version

City of Ventura DRAFT Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (pdf 218KB)

Draft Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Information Sheet (pdf)

To help residents figure out what an appropriate water budget is for a new or remodeled landscape, we've provided some water budget calculations as a guide to help guide plant selection and design based on landscaped area.  MAWA Calculations (pdf)

For more information and to submit comments, please contact Jill Sarick at jsarick@venturawater.net or (805) 652-4501.